Dust and Wonder

by Kim Kelly

As the armies of the British Empire march across the world in brutal conquest, Lieutenant Griff Whitaker resigns his commission under a burden of shame, intending to disappear - permanently. But the deafening, earth-shaking blast of the volcano Krakatoa in August 1883 changes his course, and sends a massive cloud of dust around the globe with him.



Three thousand miles southwards, Ariadne Archer - a brilliant mind trapped in Sydney's pretentious harbourside society - becomes intrigued by the wildly colourful skies, eerily vivid sunsets and haunting auras around the moon that have occurred since the volcanic eruption.



By uncanny chance, Ariadne and Griff are separately drawn to the secluded valley of the famed Jenolan Caves. Friendship blooms amid this place of peace and natural wonder. As desire ignites, Griff regains his passion for music and his violin, and begins to hope for another way of being in this world - while Ariadne's own talents and heightened perceptions might well defy the laws of science altogether.



But can love survive beyond enchantment?



'an extraordinary and beautiful book' - Karen Brooks, The Good Wife of Bath

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

‘Why can’t more people write like this?’ – The Age
‘colourful, evocative and energetic’ – Sydney Morning Herald

Kim Kelly is author thirteen novels. Among them are the bestselling, The Blue Mile, and critically acclaimed, Wild Chicory. Her novella, The Rat Catcher, was longlisted for the ARA Historical Novel Prize, and her latest, Ladies' Rest and Writing Room, was awarded the Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Prize.

Also a well-known book editor, Kim has a Master of Creative Writing from Macquarie University, for which she earned the Fred Rush Convocation Prize for writing. She is currently undertaking a PhD in literature at Macquarie.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ariadne Archer (Ari) hated her restricted life; the mother who appeared to hate her; the apathetic brother who never supported her. It was 1883 - the family lived in Sydney & when Ari's father died, she was devastated. Her mother only worried about herself, and where the money she liked so much would come from. When Ari was told she was to marry Henry, a friend of her brother's, she immediately rebelled. With fortune on her side, she attained a job at the beautiful Jenolan Caves, south of Sydney. Catching the train, she wouldn't allow her mother to stop her, nor her brother.

Immediately falling in love with the family who ran the tours and accommodated the guests - Cindy, husband Jerry and their children, Ari quickly got to work helping them - and loved it. When another guest (so she thought) arrived, a rough stranger on horseback whose name was Griff Whittaker, she could tell he was a troubled man. As he settled in to help Jerry, Ari slowly learned a little about Griff. The Krakatoa volcano explosion, the dust of which had created colourful skies, vivid sunsets and strange auras around the moon, all over the world, had effected him; the war had as well. He was from London and missed his family, but felt shame and was often in a dark place. But he understood Ari and her questions and perceptions; she was ecstatic to finally have someone who didn't think she was crazy. But would the peace, wonder and tranquility of the Jenolan Caves be enough for them?

Here we have an absolute Masterpiece! And I feel honoured and privileged to be one of the first to read Dust and Wonder (with its magnificent cover) by Aussie author Kim Kelly. Wonderful, well written characters, a beautifully depicted, poignant and heartfelt story - this one is now firmly on the top of my best reads for this year. Highly recommended.

With many thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Wendy Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is no surprise that the Australian girl likes Australian authors. If forced to name a favourite, it would be Kim Kelly. Her novels are of the historical history genre, concentrating on the lesser-known events that shaped Australia’s history. I listened to the audiobook. This is a story about a British naval lieutenant, Griff, who, disillusioned with brutality, resigns his commission. Intent on disappearing forever, he ends up in an isolated area near the Genolan Caves outside Sydney. There, he meets Adrienne, an escapee from the confines of the upper-class Harbourside Sydney suburbs. Kelly has cobbled together an amazing set of characters, some lovable, some challenged, some complex and some downright evil. But Kellie intricately draws them all.. Thoroughly researched, the story uses the author's hallmark ability to describe the Australian landscape to create an amazing story. It is a story with plenty of depth. The romance between Griff and Adrienne is a mere sideline to the message about people finding their inner selves. If you are new to Kim Kellie’s writing, try her. You will not regret it.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim kelly has done it again. Full review to come.

[Desney King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartracingly, exquisitely, whimsically unputdownable!
Like all Kim Kelly's novels, Dust and Wonder is a love story. It explores love in many guises - falling in love, love of home and family, love for the natural world, expansive love. And much more.
A fascination with science sits side by side with everyday and mystical magic, while issues like PTSD and domestic abuse form an integral part of character development. Music flows through the story like a salvation.
And then there's the wonderment.
Call it magic, call it wonderment or belief. Call it music. A feeling. A dream made from dreams. This world, this endlessly beautiful, baffling world, is a bridge between the small bright specks of our souls and the vast, unknowable oceans of the universe.
I could tell you about the plot and the characters, but other reviews have done that.
Please - treat yourself, and read this glorious book.

[Ashara Branson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Just loved it”,

A wondrous story, beautifully told, A treasure to take you away from the turmoils of our every day lives .